XOJENBEAUTY

5/13/2016

MOTD: Sun-Kissed Bronze

4/15/2016

Dupe Alert! Whirl X Natural Creme

A few weeks ago I was going through my lip liners when I noticed two products that looked almost exactly the same. I mean I was surprised because at some point I couldn't even tell the difference. They are by no means exact dupes but they are close enough that I would consider them as dupes.

The two lip liners I'm talking about are the MAC Whirl and L.A. Girl lip pencil in Natural Creme. As you know, there is a huge price difference between the two but they are both known for their quality as well.

DIFFERENCE

Like I said earlier, both lip liner have great quality but aside from that what differs one from the other?

Whirl became a cult favourite and uber-famous when it was said that its the exact lip liner that Kylie Jenner used on her lips. Yes, I'm talking about the "Kylie Jenner lips". Ever since she started posting photos of herself on instagram wearing a 90's brown-pink nude lip shade, every one and their momma went crazy and wanted to know what products she used. And when a fan said that Kylie was wearing Whirl from MAC with Velvet Teddy on top, the two lip products was suddenly sold out EVERYWHERE.

I've had this lip liner for almost two years now and its consistency is slightly different from when I first bought it so I can't really compare it properly. Although, I do remember it being really creamy and smooth as when I was first applying it on my lips. As you can see from the photo above, they are not exactly the same colour. Whirl is lighter and a bit on the pink side. This baby retails for CAD$20 plus tax, of course.

Natural Creme is from the brand L.A. Girl which is known for their PRO Concealers and their affordable yet great quality products. You probably have heard of them or seen their products on instagram. Anyway, this particular product is really creamy and smooth that its so easy to apply. I'm really impressed with the quality since the price is much lower than Whirl. Natural Creme is more on the brown side thus a tad bit darker. I was actually surprised on how the photos came out because in person they really look the same. This retails for CAD$4.99 plus tax.

Even though there's a slight difference with the colours, they do both have the reddish undertone so that makes them similar. I really hope this dupe comparison helps those who are on a budget or if you just want to see if there's a dupe for one of the lipliners. I did a dupe post for Velvet Teddy if you are interested in that one too!

*side note: If you've wondered where I've been for the past month, I just took a much needed vacation from all things social media in sense that I was MIA for awhile. But now I'm back and things will go back to normal!

Have a blessed day!

2/24/2016

Review: L'Oreal Hydra-Total 5 Ultra Fresh Ritual

Looking for the right skincare is important mostly when you're in your early twenties. Why? Because that's when aging starts where wrinkles and all the icky stuff that comes in the process follow. My skin is somewhat complicated because I basically been through most skin problems. Acne? Dry skin? Oily skin? Scarring? Been there, done that! Now, since my face is clear and healed, I need products that could maintain my face and keep it hydrated at the same time. L'Oreal Canada recently came out with new skin care products for 3 different skin types that keeps your skin fresh and hydrated.

Although these products were sent to me to try out and review, I wanted to give my honest and personal opinion.* I used this roughly about 25-30 days. I was already happy with my normal skincare routine so I was nervous to try new products. Anyways, before I begin I would firstly introduce to you what I'm talking about!

Like I said earlier, L'Oreal Canada has created a 3-step skincare line for the different skin types: combination, uneven and sensitive. This is basically products that give you 5 benefits to achieve refreshed skin. I received the combination skin line because I have mostly oily-acne prone skin. If you are not sure which skin line is perfect for you, there is a diagnostic test that you could take.

Let's get on to the review!

Ultra-Fresh Gel Cleanser

"The Gel Cleanser makes skin feel clean and refreshed. It removes skin’s impurities and leaves a fresh feeling. Skin is perfectly clean, feels fresh and revitalized." - L'Oreal Canada

Approx. C$8.47

This cleanser makes me feel clean after I wash my face. It doesn't create a lot of suds which is fine but some people want that bubbly cleanser to feel more clean. Anyhow, each of these products has a scent and this one literally reminds me of detergent. I don't have anything else to say other than I do feel clean and fresh after using this.

Ultra-Fresh Toner

"The Ultra-Fresh Toner removes impurities and tightens pores in oily-prone areas for fresh-feeling skin that is toned. Skin stays clean and complexion looks fresh. Skin remains visibly soft, smooth and even." - L'Oreal Canada

Approx. C$8.47

Out of all the products, the toner actually made a difference on my skin. I didn't notice it at first because my sister was the one who pointed it out. She said that my pores look smaller and tighter. I didn't believe her but I started to notice the pores around my nose and cheeks area were more toned down. Pun intended, well, not really. Anyways, I also like the scent of this toner because it smells fresh and flowery.

Ultra-Fresh Moisturizer

"Ultra-Fresh Moisturizer, enriched with vitamins (CG, E, B5) and essential minerals (magnesium and calcium) to meet the five essentials needs of normal to combination skin types.

5 ACTIONS + RESULTS:

1. ALL DAY MOISTURE: glycerin-enriched formula with apricot oil and shea butter provides intense hydration.

2. REVITALIZES: gives skin a less tired appearance.

3. REFRESHES: gel texture provides immediate freshness and comfort to the skin.

4. SOFTENS: emollient-enriched formula works to reveal silky soft skin every day.

5. TONES: vitamin and mineral enriched formula leaves skin toned." - L'Oreal Canada

Approx. C$12.97

This is my favourite out of all three! I love putting this on my face because its cold all the time which is so refreshing. It definitely cools down my face. Also, I love the cream-gel texture because it moisturizes my face without feeling sticky. I would definitely purchase this after I used up mine.

L'Oreal has done good with this skin care line! I did break out which is normal because I have deviated from the usual products that I have used for months. But after a few days it was gone and my skin stayed relatively good.

I would definitely recommend this to those with the same skin as me. Just a reminder that I only reviewed their Ultra-Fresh Ritual line which means they have two more for uneven skin and sensitive skin. Hope this review helped! If you have any more questions, comment down below! Or if you have a different experience from mine, I am interested to hear about it in the comment section.

#BEYONDHYDRATION #5WORKS

Have a blessed day!

*DISCLAIMER: The products were sent to me by Influenster and L'Oreal Canada to try and review. I was not paid to post this.

2/03/2016

MOTD: Sultry Soft Glam Valentine's Day Look

1/19/2016

Review: NYX Highlight & Contour PRO Palette

1/16/2016

MOTD: Go To Fresh Face Look

1/13/2016

Review: Carli Bybel Palette

This will be an exciting post because I will be reviewing the beautiful and gorgeous Carli Bybel Palette from BH Cosmetics. If you haven't heard about it yet then you must be living under a rock because this palette is one of the sought after beauty products. It was sold out loads of times and restocked again because of how much people were wanting to buy it.

Product description from the website:

"Beauty expert and YouTube sensation Carli Bybel designed this versatile 14 Color Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette to dial up the drama and add excitement to your look. Carli's taste for chic refinement and modern elegance inspired her to select a collection of earthy neutrals and plummy brown shadows with four face highlighters that complement every skin tone. The mix of mattes and shimmers makes it easy to go from amped-up evening intensity to toned-down daytime options."

Its honestly the most versatile palette ever! You can use any of the lighter shadows as a highlighter and the four bottom colours as eyeshadows. You can basically do whatever you want with it. And the colour selections are great because this palette is definitely beginner friendly. Why? Usually makeup beginners are leaning towards to neutral mauve and brown tones when they start using eyeshadows. That was true for me even until now.

The swatches down below are taken under natural light and swatched by each row from left to right starting at the top of the palette.

The palette is crazy pigmented! You'll be wondering how this is only $20 (or if its on sale $12.50)? Not only that but each one of the shadows feel buttery smooth! Blending them on the lids are so easy to do because of it! Whenever I apply any of the colours on my face its blends on my skin perfectly! I absolutely love the highlighters because its so pigmented that ever since I got it, I use it more than my high-end ones.

Of course not everything is perfect which means there are minor problems based on my experience.

The matte shadows are a bit powdery and looks chalky at first when I swatched it on my finger. But that does not last because as you blend it out, it looks flawless and seamless on the skin.
I find that the simmer shadows are quite a bit messy whenever I pick up the colours on my blending brush.

Like I said, those are minor only meaning it doesn't bother me at all. That was what I noticed, as I kept on using the palette. If you want to see how it looks like on my face you can check out my last few makeup tutorials. If you're still iffy on buying it here are some benefits and features of the palette (taken from the website):

Highlighting Powders Can Be Used for Face and Eyes

Vegan

Paraben Free

Non-Irritating

Allergy Tested

Clinically Tested

Cruelty Free Product

You can watch this video of Carli, herself, swatching and talking about the palette!

If you have any more questions regarding the palette, comment down below! I hope this review helped you in deciding whether or not you should get it. But honestly, I think you should because its worth the money. Plus, I heard its limited edition so it won't be around that long.

Have a blessed day!

DISCLAIMER

1/08/2016

MOTD: Back to School Makeup Look | Drugstore

The year has begun which means school has started once again. I don't know about you, but I'm still in the holidays vibe so I'm not quite ready for anything school related. Unfortunately, we still have to face the reality no matter what. I created a look that I would personally wear to school. Its not too glam and it makes you look awake after that party last night.

After all the spending during Christmas and Boxing Day, I would expect not all, including me, would have anything left for makeup. So, I used all drugstore makeup in this look!

Products used:

Sonia Kashuk Mattifying Primer & Nivea Men After Shave Balm as primer
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Foundation - see my review here
Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Concealer
Maybelline Matte + Poreless Powder
NYX Highlight and Contour Palette
BH Cosmetics x Carli Bybel palette for highlight
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder
L.A. Girl lip liner in Natural
Wet n' Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Bare It All - see dupe alert post here
NYC Liquid Eyeliner
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

After priming my entire face, I applied foundation by dotting it on my cheeks, forehead, chin and a little bit on my nose. Using a buffing brush, I spread the product out in circular motions. I made sure the product was gone by going over it again.

Next, I applied concealer under my eyes--creating a small triangular shape and extending the end towards the top of my cheekbones. Using the same brush as earlier, I tapped the product instead of buffing. With a powder of the same colour, I set my foundation and concealer to prevent smudging and creasing.

If you notice in the photo, I have a prominent crease on my eye bags. So with the contour palette, I use the yellow shade to brighten and to further prevent creasing. Then I used the two middle shades of the contour colours and sweeped it on the hollows of my cheeks using a stippling brush. I find that this brush is the best when it comes to contouring on my cheeks without caking up. I, also, applied the contour shades on my temples and underneath my chin and jaw area.

Using the Carli Bybel Palette, I used the 3rd highlight shade and with a bag fan brush a swept it on my cheekbones and other areas where light will natural shine.

On my eyes, I just did a simple eyeliner look and applied mascara after. Oh and don't forget to do the brows! After everything, I set it with a simple setting spray.

On my lips, I used a lip liner that is two shades darker than my own and topped it off with a lighter nude lipstick in the center of my lips.

And there you have it! I hope this look is helpful for you! Sometimes when I'm in a hurry, I skip the foundation. Hope you enjoy school! ;)

Have a blessed day!

DISCLAIMER

1/04/2016

Review: Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation

Ever since I watched the first impression video of a spray foundation from Sephora by ItsJudyTime, I was fascinated and been wanting to try the product. She gave it a super high review after Sephora updated the formula. What's the product, you say? This review is about the Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation. It has a really long name, but each word describes the product perfectly. I've had this foundation for months now and have been wearing it since mid-Fall 2015. And oh my goodness, this is definitely bomb dot com!

Before I start, here are the product claims from sephora.com:

"[It is...] An airbrush foundation with an ultrafine mist for flawless makeup results at home.

Blur imperfections seamlessly and control shine for up to 10 hours with this [matte] satin-finish foundation. The weightless, micro-fine pigments of InstaBlend technology ensure color lays down smooth and seamless, so you can build to your desired coverage level—from light to full—for a flawless look every time. Mineral-rich red algae extract protects the skin from environmental stresses and helps smooth the skin for a soft-focus, airbrushed finish that lasts."

PROs

It has buildable coverage--does not cake up!
Oil-free
It has 2.5 fl.oz. (1.5 more than the average foundation)
Easy to use
Long-wearing
Cheaper alternative to the Dior Airflash Foundation

Cons

May be expensive to some people
limited colour selections (9 colours only!)
May be difficult to use for beginners

THOUGHTS?

I am so happy that I bought this because it is the best foundation ever! It's my holy grail! I have suffered from serious cake face when I started doing my makeup 3 years ago. It looked gross on my skin and since I have oily-combo skin, the foundation would separate and look messy. But this doesn't do that! It honestly still looks like my own skin. If you've seen any of my makeup tutorials, most of the time I was wearing this foundation. It's long-wearing too and doesn't transfer.

This foundation retails for CAD$35 and it may be cheaper or a bit more expensive depending where you're from but its totally worth every penny. Since its a spray foundation, there are three ways to apply it:

Spray directly onto your face and blend.
Spray product onto the brush then apply to your face.
OR spray product onto the back of your hand then use brush to apply to your face.

For me personally, I use method #2 since it so much easier for me and I am able to control how much foundation I want. Also, it is much better to use a foundation brush not the one that looks like a paintbrush, but rather the one that's short and dense.

For those who are wondering I am in the shade HONEY which is not that dark when blended. I honestly just guesstimated my shade since I was too lazy to ask an associate. So here is my review! If you have any more questions, comment down below!

Have a blessed day and Happy New Year!